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Thanks for sharing. But every time I read these edited or minimally written articles on here it scares the crap out of me. I always think, Is this gonna happen to me?
Nice article, Mark! God knows I did my share of hand-wringing, self-loathing and fearfulness over HIV/AIDS at times, since first diagnosis in 1985. What HELPED me? Self-advocacy, persistence, relationship-building with my healthcare professionals, fostering humor and gratitude in myself, and trying to be of service to others, which for me was mainly about investing in interpersonal relationships and bearing witness to my HIV experience in an outreaching way. Thanks for the thoughtful piece.
It's great to hear you're doing so well, Mark. Thanks for the article, very motivating!
Mark,congrads on your survival time,i am 59 and I was diagnosed in 09,i understand completely,its hard enough in this youth crazy society,gay and straight to age,then throw in h.i.v.,sometimes the lonliness is unbearable,especially in my part of the country.I find traveling to east coast a life saver,age and H.I.V is more accepted there,all my good friends are gone,but if you can hold up,so can I,the H.I.V. doesn't scare me as much as old and alone,but I will have to man up,keep the faith sir.
Mark Milano is a man i admire even when i'm butting heads with him. btw, even "undetectable" (but still present) viral load contributes to accelerated aging...becuz our bodies notice HIV far more sensitively than commercial PCR tests can. conversely, there's evidence that 95%+ adherence to a fully active ARV regimen can induce ZERO viral load, calming our body's enhanced inflammatory response and the accelerated aging that comes with it. goto Pubmed.gov and enter code 22927449 for the abstract.
Thanks for this article. I'm a 20 + year survivor and I'm 60 yrs.old. I can relate and like the author I act as my own advocate. Luckily my Drs.are quite knowledgeable and work in tandem with me.
Linda
I'm 67 and poz since 1987, widowed since 1989. The hardest part of this is the ASO's and CDC do not want to have straight support groups because they have to be either male or female. The hetero community is totally left out because of this. The support I've received in these years is from my family and many friends who have never left me. I'm also a huge advocate. As a public servant in a manager's position, I work my HIV+ shirt on World AIDS Day. I'll never give up. I'm too old.
October 11, 2014 • Cincinnati